Give ARTAC membersa say on supplier deals

Give ARTAC membersa say on supplier deals

I was extremely frustrated to read ARTAC managing director Julian Foster’s comments concerning the dropping of Holiday Autos as a supplier to the ARTAC consortium (Travel Weekly October 30).

As a member we have received a first-class product and service from Holiday Autos, they have supported the consortia with marketing, sponsorship and training, not only through Peterborough but also to the regions and individual members at their branches. I take exception to Julian’s comments about members being undisciplined and not supporting our partners: we do.

In nearly every other sector we have a choice of suppliers. So why in car rental do we only have one supplier? Being independent means we have a choice and I will continue to offer my clients the same flexibility.

Holiday Autos state their sales with ARTAC members are up by 15.8%. This does not surprise me when I talk to other ARTAC members in my region.

Perhaps Peterborough should listen to its members about who they want to have partnerships with and then, with this mandate, go out and negotiate on their behalf.

So Julian, put it to the test in the regions, ask the members to vote on how many want Holiday Autos to bereinstated as a secondary preferred supplier. If this vote is in favour then the right thing to do is to reinstate them and give us the choice.

Name and address withheld